Dr. Gregory, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh, and
the translator of Reichenbach's _Researches on Magnetism_, has just
published a volume destined, we believe, to excite considerable
attention, both from the nature of its subject and the position of the
writer. It is entitled _Letters to a Candid Inquirer on Animal
Magnetism_, and in the first Part, after describing the phenomena, and
their application to medical purposes, and to the explanation of much
that is obscure in what is called Magic or Witchcraft, "a great part of
which appears to have rested on a knowledge of these phenomena possessed
by a few in an ignorant age," Dr Gregory suggests, not as a fully
developed theory, but simply as a conceivable idea, an explanation of
the _modus operandi_ in magnetic phenomena, especially in clairvoyance.
The basis of this explanation is the existence of that universally
diffused power or influence, the existence of which, in Dr. Gregory's
opinion, Reichenbach has demonstrated. The second Part consists of a
large and startling collection of mostly unpublished cases; and Dr.
Gregory expresses his conviction that if the evidence is fairly studied,
it will be impossible to believe that the alleged facts are the result
of imposture or of delusion; or to resist the conviction, which
investigation will confirm, that the essential facts, however apparently
marvellous, are yet true, and have been faithfully reported. These cases
are indeed most extraordinary, and would, at first sight, seem more
fitted to fill our Folk Lore columns than to become the subject of
scientific enquiry; and most readers, we believe, will rise from their
perusal with an inclination to admit that there are more things true
than are dreamt of in their philosophy--some with an anxious doubt
whether these "arts" are not as "forbidden" as they are "curious."
The Society of Arts have opened a reading-room for the gratuitous use of
foreign visitors to London during the Great Exhibition. Our readers will
be doing a kindness to their friends from the Continent by making them
acquainted with this act of liberality and good feeling on the part of
the Society of Arts.
Messrs. Puttick and Simpson (191. Piccadilly) will sell on Wednesday and
Thursday next a curious and valuable Library, rich more especially in
the department of voyages and travels, and including a collection of
very rare works relating to America.
CATALOGUES RECEIVED.--B. Quaritch's (16. Castle Street, Leicester
Square) Cheap Book Circular No. 29. of Books in all Languages.--C.
Hamilton's (22. Anderson's Buildings, City Road) Interesting Catalogue
No. 43. of Cheap Tracts, Law and Miscellaneous Manuscripts, &c.--J.
Miller's (43. Chandos Street) Catalogue No. 23. of Books Old and New.